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Reviews
Spirit Camp (2009)
Neat n Sleak
Beautiful glossy sweet movie of cheerleaders, blood and gore. This film is everything that you can expect and more. It's cool, sleek, witty, neat and enjoyable to watch in a teen slasher kinda way.
Basic plot involves a group of teens heading off for summer camp. Once arrived, they soon discover that a crazy madman has escaped from a local secure (or un-secure) prison and the body-count begins to mount up. Yes, this is the original obvious plot, but its produced as a pure homage to all that has come before, looks great and really is a fun film to watch.
When I say obvious, I really mean it. Basically, every time someone steps out of one of the chalets or into the woods, into a shower, they are sliced up. 'So, if it's so obvious, why is it good?' I hear you cry. This film is produced with such love an attention, fine detail and witty perfect script, it's impossible not to watch. I'm presuming it was filmed on HD Camera, it's gloriously lit and colourful to the eye. The cast are all great too. Great to see Julin again (after another fav of the 365Horror project, the Final) real screen presence and great comic timing. Roxy Vandiver is good, kinda in the lead here, but totally overshadowed by Julin. Brandon Smith and Amy Morris both offer sterling performances. Credence to Kerry Beyer, as writer, director, DP and actor for getting a great performance out of such a young cast whilst shooting a great lookin' film.
One of the best of the year so far.
Spring Break Massacre (2008)
Scream Queen Revival
From a first glance, this could be mistaken as another scream queen classic from the 80's, or a revival style homage, especially as the Queen herself takes a role here, Linnea Quigley, but it's not really the case. This has a confused feeling about it; on one hand it's low budget and amateur, but carries a whole tribute of styles in it's film bag, and on the other hand, it's pure Troma.
A father leaves his daughter home alone for the spring break with a few house rules, no guys, drink or drugs. Of cause, a twenty something is out to break the rules and as soon as father's hit the road, a slumber party is arranged. Girls in lingerie spend the next hours running about the house, meanwhile, the guys in their life are planning how to get in. But, with all good slumber parties, there's gotta be a massacre, and one by one, the youths are slaughtered.
OK, so this sounds like all the other cheap films you've ever seen. Wrong. Although this edges toward the obvious with semi naked girls getting slashed up, the film tries to follow a more thriller approach. Not knowing who the killer is, and good character generation with cops in the station, a back story with a guy escaping from prison, but a nice twist which is unexpected. The film ties up well too with no loose ends. Cinematically, it's got an interesting style. It chops and changes from colour to black and white, slow-mo and some reverse camera-work which works well, but as I say, it's a confused movie due to it's conflict to be taken seriously. Much of the film is shot hand held which gives a good creepy feeling and closeness to the subject. It's quite a dirty gritty film, but suddenly, we get some really nice glorious shots.
The acting all round is quite good. Erin Meyers, LeAnne VanMaulle, Toni Buena, Renee Darmiento and Reggie Bannister. Of cause, Linnea is always great and here she shines as always in a role a bit more reserved from her usual.