STAGE FRIGHT will make your ears bleed

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 89 Mins
WRITER(S)- Jerome Sable, and Eli Batalion
STARRING- Minnie Driver, Meat Loaf, and Allie MacDonald
DIRECTOR- Jerome Sable



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A snobby musical theater camp is terrorized by a blood-thirsty killer who hates musical theater.




Having never seen Alfred Hitchcock's 1950 original film of the same title, I had little to go on and had almost no expectations going into this version of "Stage Fright". I watched a trailer for it when I saw it was on VOD, and that was enough to get me to pay to see it.

From the start, there's a brutal kill right at the beginning before the opening credits. The nature of the kill is sheer brutality, the sound effects, the blood, and the ruthlessness shown in the kill told me all I needed to know about this film: that it has an edge.

I'm not opposed to musicals, I actually like a lot of musical plays and films. So, all the singing didn't disturb me. I've heard this film described as "Sleepaway Camp" meets "Glee", which is an appropriate comparisson since it's a musical at a camp. But, I'd say it's more "Scream" meets "Glee", because rather than try to be scary, it comes off more cool than anything. One thing that is positively established in this film, is the feeling of an 80's slasher flick. Coming off like a modernized 80's era stabathon film, I still wasn't convinced that it was going to be a movie I'd enjoy due to how quirky it is. And we all know that the term '80's slasher' can be a good or bad thing.

Camilla Swanson (Allie MacDonald) is a cook at a musical theater camp, with her brother, Buddy (Douglas Smith). The camp itself is sinking, on the verge of bankruptcy. The stage producer, Roger McCall (Meatloaf) decides that in order to save the camp, he's going to bring back "The Haunting of the Opera", the same play that Camilla and Buddy's mother was murdered after debuting, 10 years ago. When Camilla hears that they're going to be bringing the musical back for a revival (this time a kabuki version), she auditions and gets the role after some despute with the director. Although Camilla thinks she's doing a good deed and honoring her mother, Buddy disagrees and doesn't think she should do it.

The director of the musical, Artie (Brandon Uranowitz) basically sexually harasses the females and blackmails them in order to pick which lady he wants to be the face of the musical. What aggravates me about this scenario is that no one ever says anything to him about it. They all just deal with it and act like they have to do as he says or else. Somehow the characters forgot they're only doing a small-time gig, and act like Artie's a big shot. When really he's the director of a camp musical. This got a "wtf" reaction out of me because these girls let this crude guy walk all over them and use them for the sake of a damn summer musical at a camp full of nobodys. So I find it unrealistic that their reactions are anything but cussing Artie out. These girls must have really been desperate otherwise...

While it's intentional, characters like Artie are all around the cast, making most of the cast instantly unlikable. And it kept me hoping that the lot of them would meet the blade of the killer (laugh). Without hardly any characters to back or support aside from Camilla and Buddy, I was taken out of the movie, and it lessened my experience watching it. And, my fiance pointed out a very funny element that somehow slipped my vision: most of the cast wears the same clothes the entire film! Guess everyone forgot their changes of clothes due to all the excitement of going to summer camp. Either way, small details like that irk me. But, I think that I was trying too hard to stay interested in the film to notice that detail on my own.

Now, let me talk about the killer. Whenever he shows up, the movie turns into a heavy metal horror musical! The lyrics are silly, but the music is enjoyable. He's twisted, violent, vicious, brutal, and relentless. However, the more I saw of the killer, the more ridiculous I thought he was. At one point he even gets out a guitar and solos in front of a victim before murdering them. Such goofy things don't really do anything for me but annoy me. He's very choreographed and stylized in his movements, making him an unrealistic character. As I said before, this movie tries to come off as cool more than anything. And I noticed that two saw-like weapons he uses are actually the tops of cans, which I actually laughed at. Had the killer been not as over-the-top as he was I probably could have appreciated that aspect.

Although several people are killed off, the play must go on, right? Right. With the impending doom of the killer showing up and killing Camilla like her mother, she still goes on stage and performs. The plot twist/killer reveal is easily predictible and nothing unconventional, but again you can smell the 80's slasher element this movie has. There's a secondary plot twist that I didn't find so predictible, but it's pretty flat. Once it's out in the open it doesn't do anything but make this movie mediocre at best.

There's some good, creative kills and gore. But I expected the quality of the movie to overall be higher. The movie climax is good, but nothing memorable. Ultimately the only thing that I can say is that I'm not impressed, but it's worth a watch.

Catch it now on VOD or get to the theater May 9th to check it out.

2.5 stars out of 5

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL

Although the "Carrie" remake did pretty well this past weekend, coming in third and grossing $16, 101, 552, I'd say it's opening weekend was a success. However, I wasn't at a showing of the film, because I was one state over, in North East, Maryland at The Milburn Stone Theater attending the musical adaptation of the tragic story. I'll be seeing the new movie later this week, but with a musical of this criteria, I had to prioritize. 

Not much to my surprise, there's some serious talent involved in this stage performance! And with such a broad cast, it was a genuine relief to see it go over so well. AJ Melendez, a former American Idol Juniors finalist plays Tommy Ross, Carrie's prom date. Melendez not only is convincing in his performance, but has a great voice for the role. 

Then you have Christy Wyatt, who plays Carrie's only friend, Sue Snell. Christy not only plays the biggest role in the act, but also was narrator of the entire show. With a solid stage presence, and elegant vocals, she carries the show quite well. Add to that, Wyatt is also a resident of Delaware, like me, and many others of the cast. Having graduated high school as a vocal and musical theater major, she's been in numerous stage performances and is currently a freshman studying the Elementary Education major at the University of Delaware. 

When I asked Christy what preparations she had to make in order to get into the role of Sue, she said, "I think I'm a lot like Sue in real life. I'm very studious and I often keep to myself. Like any teenager, I can relate to making bad decisions and wanting to make things right after the fact, so it was easy to draw from that for my character." 

And of course, you have the main focus of the musical, Carrie, played by Megan Valle. The high school senior has a dance background of 14 years, and plans to go to college for a BFA in musical theater. And if her singing and acting in this musical have anything to say, she's going far, I hope. She plays the character of Carrie with almost perfection. She's got the look, and really is suitable for the role. She's utterly convincing in her execution of the character! 

Valle told me, "I tried to pull from certain events or feelings that related to Carrie. Everyone in their life has been bullied or called certain names, and I took that emotion that I felt during that certain incident, and exemplified it during the show." 

All around, being entirely truthful, the entire cast is phenomenal, and it's easy to tell they work for it. Throughout the entire show, there wasn't one hiccup in a single performer! This really stood out to me, because I usually always encounter some sort of screw up amongst the cast whenever I attend things like this. So, it was a serious relief and surprise to see this local show done with such precision. Everyone on stage should give themselves a pat on the back. It's no surprise that every performer, individually and collectively, received a massive standing ovation when it all ended! 

The music is great, and really gets the audience going, and keeps them interested and invested. Although some of the lyrics can be a bit dark, this musical never loses it's quirkiness due to the high-energy acting and vocals of every single person on the stage. 

If I were to use criticism, all that I can really muster to mention is that although the music is big, the effects aren't. And I would have liked to see a more fitting stage setup. But, the thing is, the tunes and showmanship out weigh any negatives that you can find or point out. It's a whole hell of a lot of fun, and everyone in the crowd enjoyed themselves, just like I did. It's worth seeing over the music alone, but you get so much more. I'm really glad that I got to see a film that I hold dear, turned into a show that is done with complete professionalism. 

But don't take my word for it, take Christy Wyatt's. "I don't think there's a kid out there who wouldn't find some part of this show that they like. It is really unlike anything out there..."

If you didn't get to see it last weekend, it's not to late! This coming weekend there will be another show from Friday to Sunday. If you're in the area, check it out. Trust me, you've got nothing better to do. Swing over and show some support. And enjoy yourself.

For tickets and other information, click here.

Don't Go In The Woods (2010)

RATED-R
RUN TIME- 83 MINS
WRITERS- SAM BISBEE, VINCENT D'ONOFRIO AND JOE VINCIGUERRA
STARRING- BO BODDIE, ERIC BOGOSIAN AND GWYNN GALITZER4
DIRECTOR- VINCENT D'ONOFRIO



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A young band heads to the woods in order to focus on writing new songs. Hoping to emerge with new music that will score that will score them their big break, they instead find themselves in the middle of a nightmare beyond comprehension. 


I didn't know much about this movie before going into it so I didn't know what to expect. My mind was open to observation. I knew that this film was practically a musical, that's about it.

The films started off and I was intrigued to see where it was going. It looked to possibly have some potential and that kept me in my seat. I wasn't a fan of the type of music that was being played. It was too whiny or 'emo' as some say. I'm a fan of the harder stuff myself. But I tried to not let that judge my thoughts of the movie because I've seen musicals where I don't like the music before.

I was waiting for the kills to progress in order to keep me into the movie, hoping that at some point the kills would become brutal and original. And it is my sad duty to admit that that moment never came.

The gore was lackluster and the kills were so generic it was offending. I don't understand how people can make a movie like this, it's ridiculous. Any and all hope it had of using its potential was shot down my incompetence.

The cast in this movie wasn't bad to start but honestly, all the annoying music made them annoying and I was just waiting for the killer to shut them up. This film wasn't what I expected it to be.

Pretty much the band members start wanting to party and not focus on the music unlike their group leader. So he gets all mad and starts playing guitar in the woods singing and making up songs. I got so sick of hearing his songs about relationships and betrayal and whatever else. I got tired of listening.

This film's ultimate failure is how forgettable it is.

THIS FILM GETS 1 REAPER OUT OF 4

Evil Dead: The Musical

Today I had the pleasure of going to see The Evil Dead: The Musical for the 2nd time! After I saw it for the first time a few years ago I was convinced that was the last I'd ever see of it seeing as I live in the middle of nowhere. But I was wrong, and like any deadite would do, I jumped on the opportunity to see it again scoring front row seats. And it was the goriest it's ever been, especially for people in the "Splatter Zone" like myself.

Before I ever saw it in person I owned the CD of the original play and I must've listened to it 100 times. It's funny and endearing and pure fun. They captured the spirit of the greatest horror trilogy ever in a handful of well written songs.

The first time I went to The Evil Dead: The Musical was a great experience and I had the luxury of meeting the cast and having a few word before the show as well as having the entire cast sign my play program. It was one of the best things that could happen to a hardcore The Evil Dead fan like myself, and the fact that I got to go again was a blessing and an awesome early birthday gift.

There are such good songs on in this play! They're both funny and commanding. I've learned the words to the songs from listening to the album so much, but nothing compares to seeing and hearing it live.

"What The **** Was That?" is a hilarious song and regardless of how many times I hear it I always laugh. I mean, you have Ash and Scottie both singing a song about how the craziness going on. It's a funny tune and an seeing it performed really ices the cake.

"Stupid B****" is another song involving Scottie and Cheryl, Ash's sister. It's rude, over the top and a superb choice for a good laugh.

"Housewares Employee" is a song by Ash and Linda, and is actually one of the best songs, if not the best song on the soundtrack. It's not as comical as the others but it gets the point across with just enough humor and harmony to make it charming.

"Good Old Reliable Jake" is one of the funniest and most enjoyable songs due to how over-acted the part is. They deliberately make him a charismatic character who even steals a few scenes from other actors due to his humor and likability.

"Do The Necronomicon" is also one of my favorites because it's a good track and is one of the most visually stunning songs due to the deadites dancing and singing their anthem. It's quote: "Like the Timwarp but only better!"

"Blew That ***** Away" is the concluding song of the musical and is also one of it's gems. It is the re-enactment of the ending to Army Of Darkness, taking place in S-Mart. It's got a good rhythm and like all the others, is very funny.

There's a good handful of other songs that I didn't mention so I had to narrow it down to favorites or else I start rambling.

I was one of the "Splatter Zone" people who got to sit in the good seats allowing you to be in direct shot of the blood. For those of you who don't know, yes, the play has lots and lots of blood and they have not problem soaking the audience in it. I myself, was drenched. One of the prop girls even rubbed me down with blood as an early birthday gift. The goriest scenes were definitely at the end, it was an experience one doesn't forget.

It's one of the many things that separates this musical from others, but it's a great experience and very compelling. I plan on going again when they come around (if they come around...) again.

In conclusion, I think this play was a phenomenal idea and is something everyone who loves horror should experience at least once. It sums up the trilogy of greatness into an hour and fifty minute show, exposing the passion, fun, heart and true core of the Evil Dead saga, as well as the scares. In both of my times going the acting has also been on par and very diligently done. Good job to the actors and actresses.

I'll be keeping the clothes I wore to the play and I'll be keeping them unwashed in all their bloody glory. I made sure to wear a white shirt and safety goggles.

I was also very pleased that not only did I get to see this celebration of one of the greatest horror series' ever made for a second time, but I also got to take pictures as you see above. Sorry some are blurry. Lots of movement going on.

When and if the day comes when I get another opportunity to see this play again I'll be jumping on the opportunity again.



Check the link below to see if Evil Dead: The Musical is coming to your town!
http://www.evildeadthemusical.com/

I'd also like to thank Bootless Stageworks for putting together this great show!
http://www.bootless.org/