DIRECTOR’S CUT (2024)

Written & Directed By: Don Capria

Cinematography: Bliss Bussant 

Editor: Noah Marks

Cast: Louis Lombardi, Lucy Hart, Tyler Ivey, Danielle Kotch, Brandy Ochoa, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo, Greg Poppa, Haley Cassidy, Darren Kickok 

Excited to shoot their first music video, a punk rock band ventures into the woods of P.A. never to return.

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Should’ve known better going into this was hoping it would be more fun than it actually is as this seems like this should have been more of a Tubi premier horror film due to its nature and lower budget.

It’s not quite a failure, but it has issues and its problems. For instance One of the only Caucasian actresses in the film, of course ends up being the final group, which is rather disappointing not that the film has a big cast. But the only other Caucasian woman is a villain, so all the few people of color unfortunately might not make it to the end and then one has a partial sex or intimate scene that wasn’t needed which just shows the exploitation factor and while I’m not claiming racism, it just seems to Stay and remain in the same old tropes and stereotypical roles

Not that this offer that surprises or should really expect it to be anything different as it plays pretty much basic throughout Moore and exploitative B movie that while not quite tongue and cheek feels that way 

The film has an interesting concept, though you can see the so-called surprises coming easily . So the film place predictable and though desperate in their situation, you also feel the characters would know better.

As the film isn’t the most original, it doesn’t really offer too many surprises or anything to subvert the film in anyway which would be welcome. As the film does try to offer a bit of exploitation, but never quite gives enough.

The violence throughout seems to be more an afterthought. as again we see the application in the aftermath, but not necessarily the actual application of it

The film seems to have an hour of set up then in the last 30 minutes, decides to be violent and light torture porn as it seems to remember what type of film it’s supposed to b. The hour seems to want to set up the characters, their dilemmas, a few secrets, and the drama within the group. One only wishes they were more interesting as it is a very good looking cast not quite WB level, but very high catching.

It’s nice to see Lewis Lombardi as the lead, even if the film doesn’t offer any real subtlety to the character and already seems to aggressive within their first meeting, whereas you would think you would be more nurturing, so it already rings the bell for the alarms of his true nature 

Towards the end, the film chooses to reveal a trans actress and it’s Just filmed and introduced in such a weird way as to add another level of inclusion

Grade: D