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SYNOPSIS:
The term “snuff film” first originated in the
early 1970’s. Also known as “white heat”
and “the real thing.” In 1975, the FBI investigated
rumors of snuff in America. For the past 30 years, thousands
of people have claimed that they’ve seen an actual snuff
film. To this day it remains an “urban legend.”
This
film follows a Ted Bundy-like serial killer, Brandon, and
his next victim, Stacy, who is about to become an unwilling
participant in Brandon's movie.
MOVIE REVIEW
This controversially
title USA release DVD was sent to Moviexclusive.com for reviewing
purposes. A questionable move as it’s unlikely it will
be sold in the Singapore market (It’s not that we got
good taste but it’s more of a matter that we are more
gutless when it comes to mass consumption, though it might
lure some curious cats to seek this DVD out). It’s been
passed around the MX Stable and apparently it was rather difficult
to sit through that no one was able to finish it to give it
a proper review.
After
the first few minutes, it was obvious why it was so hard to
watch this film and it wasn’t because it contains many
obscene mind disturbing graphics that make folks press the
stop button. It was because it was so badly shot and lacks
of any actual thrill or suspense that make this a bad rip-off,
snuff film wannabe.
Let’s
break this film title into three parts and review how badly
it was made.
Firstly,
the Amateur bit was overkill here. I know they are trying
to get the gritty feel of an actual event in process but they
tried too hard. The film was over scratched that it felt fake
(does the film makers even know why films get scratch in the
first place?). The awkward angles and shaky cams were worse
than those you actually get from homemade videos. It actually
felt that they are doing it on purpose and took away all the
reality horror that made Blair Witch a household name.
The only
Amateur mistake that they made correctly was the inclusion
of double exposure of another couple getting on. The mistake
being that Amateurs actually don’t have the ability
to mesh two flicks together in such an expert manner. It only
shows that the filmmaker got no idea what to do with the little
material he had at hand and tried to include a mild sex scene
to spice it up. As again with the nicely made subtitles and
the sound effects, it took away the believable factor.
Speaking
of sex, the Porn Star bit was a joke here. There are actually
two couples having “sex” in this movie. The first
one couple had a hot looking blond girl pretending to have
sex with this guy. Pretty mild and wasn’t really convincing
that actual penetration took place. What does it had to do
with this porn star killing? There isn’t really any
linkage except to help pad out the long and boring foreplay
and “sex” between the victim and the killer.
It
was pretty funny that how the “victim” actually
jumps onto the killer's vehicle so easily and readily but
took so bloody long to be convinced to the “sex”
act. Anyway the sex bit between the two leads are so badly
done that it’s either they are trying to find ways to
hide their “sexual” acts or they never did any
research of homemade porn that are available online.
The Killer
bit was the part where people should demand their money back.
It was far more scary and believable in that short segment
shown in Nicolas Cage’s 8mm than it was done here. Don’t
be fool by this movie cover which shows a nudie girl tied
up in chain or the various poses that were screen capped at
the back cover as none of them actually happens. The violence
conveniently occurs off screen that everyone (who ever wonder
how some special effect shots were made) could easily guess
this very old camera trick.
The only
thing likeable was the end credits for the killer’s
modus operandi (M.O. mode of operation) and how he showcases
his crimes to others. Although it’s rather questionable
that he remained “uncaught” after leaving so many
obvious hints, it was still a nice touch in showing the horror
to the unsuspecting folks (though I suspect they would most
likely turn it off within the first ten minutes).
If you
don’t want to waste your money or effort to catch this,
I will reveal the ending to you (Just scroll to the end that
comes with a spoiler tag). Part of the friendly service of
Moviexclusive.com DVD Review section.
Maybe
I am missing the point or maybe there is really a group of
consumers that wants to watch this type of film. It has a
controversial objective but the thing that made me hate this
film was how it chicken out on its own and how it tried to
pretend something it wasn’t. In anyway, this piece of
“movie” is really a poor excuse to waste any audience’s
time / effort and the film that was used.
SPECIAL
FEATURES :
Yup the extra section actually gets 1/2 star rating
more than the film. Mainly because we finally get to see both
Shane Ryan and his co star, Michiko Jimenez in a clearer and
in colour, talking about the film in the Drive Thru and Interview
section. It’s done with amateurish effort but in a brighter
and more clearly manner after the mess they call a film.
Also
contained in this extra section are the Short Films by Shane
Ryan which reassure me that I will never want to watch another
“film” that comes with his name in the director
credit.
There
are also 4 Trailers, 3 of which are for this film and another
one call Romance Road Killers (by Shane Ryan again) which
is bad in a laughable way.
(Spoiler
Ending Starts)
The Killer Brandon would rent videos
from stores and return with his “snuff films”.
His choice of videos would be those older and smaller (aka
unpopular) titles which make the revelation of his crime less
prominent and takes a longer time later. Rather ingenious
idea if you ask me … as long as the store clerks don’t
check the tapes immediately after you return!
(Spoiler Ending Ends)
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Richard Lim Jr
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