The official blog of The CineFiles, a weekly film review series that can viewed at www.youtube.com/cinefiles. This blog will be used to keep fans up to date with upcoming shows and news.
Directed By: Tomm Jacobsen, Jon Salmon & Michael Rousselet
Written By: Tomm Jacobsen, Jon Salmon, Michael Rousselet, Alec Owen, Ben Gigli, Brian Firenzi, Joey Scoma, Michael E. Peter, Mike James and Tim Cianco
Cinematography: Jon Salmon
Editor: Brain Firenzi
Cast: Alec Owen, Ben Gigli, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Erik Sandoval, Chelsea St. John, Skyler Rousselet, Larry King, Greg Sestero, Andrew WK
In the wake of two back-to-back mass murders on Chico’s frat row, loner Brent Chirino must infiltrate the ranks of a popular fraternity to investigate his twin brother’s murder at the hands of the serial killer known as “Motherface.”
This film is definitely for those who are looking for something a bit different and might be movie purists.
This film is based on a fake trailer that was posted on the website 5secondfilms.com and the feature film was produced by them as well.
The history of this supposed cult movie is obviously made up as there has been no previous films of this franchise. This instead is an homage and original that pretends to be a sequel. Giving all the characters a supposed history together.
The collaboration behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Just finding out the story of how it got made is as crazy as the film
At heart it shows a passion for the films it is clearly inspired by and is a B-Movie satire and spoof of those VHS straight to home video movies of the 1980’s as well as those particularly made and filmed on VHS horror movies of that time period. Made on the cheap, usually ridiculous but have a lot of where as dream amateur productions come to life. As much as they could afford
These are the type of films that would at on USA UP ALL NIGHT. All the time and somewhat censored. Though they have a sense of humor about themselves. They were earnest in what they were hoping to achieve.
The film is juvenile with a lot of off color humor, with ridiculous characters and plot lie s that I respect with being an exploitive slasher film. TBH tough has quite a few surprising cameos throughout.
At least it stays inventive throughout with practical special effects taking center stage.
The film feels like a comedy group making a spoof movie. Like KIDS IN THE HALL, BROKEN LIZARD, ASTRON-6. That is how the casts chemistry works so well. It’s silly yet fun especially if you are a fan of horror movies.
Though in the end the film is entertaining, fun, low brow humor, passionate and funny. While also being all over the place and full of cliches
Inspired By “KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS” Screenplay By: Robert Hammer and John Dighton
Based On the Novel “ISRAEL RANK” By: Roy Horniman
Cinematography: Todd Ranhazl
Editor: Harrison Atkins
Cast: Glen Powell, Jessica Henwick, Margaret Qualley, Bill Camp, Ed Harris, Topher Grace, Zach Woods, Phumi Tau, Stevel Marc
Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, a blue-collar stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
This is a loose remake or more a modern retelling of the Alec Guinness film KIND HEARTS & CORONETS only set more realistically and taking out the gimmick of that film years ago. Where Alec Guinness played all the members of the family that was getting killed off.
It might have been an added incentive if this film had big stars making cameos as members of the family getting killed off, but only Topher Grace is recognizable as one of the kin in standing to inherit a fortune above out protagonist.
So the film really adds nothing except instead of being an outright comedy. It’s dark and slick. It attempts to be a social satire. Though never quite feels sharp enough. In fact at times it feels oddly rushed.
The film is darkly comedic and isn’t as bad as one would think. Considering how little fanfare or promotion the film got. Which the studio seemed to have cold feet after Glen Powell started in THE RUNNING MAN reboot that bombed. I don’t even remember seeing a trailer for this film. Until I had to go out and find it online myself.
The film plays pretty standard items entertaining as you watch but barely sticks with you once done. This fits in with the disposable films of yesteryear that were good enough for a watch and are rewatchable but therebisnMt much to them except for entertainment.
This film seems like it’s going to be a crowd pelaser until the end where it stays with it’s cynicism.
Strangely enough Glen Powell, plays a likable killer. That feels like he has shades of Patrick Bateman possibilities but is never that much of a sociopath or psychopath and had his reasons for his actions.
Margaret Qualley is a good femme fatale only because we barely know anything about her and comes across as a mystery but also a type. Though she wears chanel as her wardrobe in all her scenes. That gives you a hint to the heart of her character. Where her legs are all over.
Which is one of the films problems it’s
Likable enough bit has no real depth. The characters are more types. So that it never draws you in. So as it stays on the surface that is what you get and how you feel by the end.
The films screenplay was surprisingly on the 2014 BLACK LIST of scripts that those in the industry rank as the best unproduced they have read that year.
Which drags the film down and makes it feel more and more basic as it goes along. Especially in the end where the irony want to take over. As this is a film that shouldngave high stakes. Yet it all feels very telegraphed.
This feels like a film you would sneak Into after paying and watching another film or that you go to on a weekend, just because you want something to watch.
Cast: Matthew Sato, Will Sennett, Pell James, Olivia Rouyre, Fred Melamed, Chloe Cherry
A struggling writer befriends a powerful producer’s eccentric son.
This film plays more like a thriller version of SWIMMING WITH SHARKS. As it is more a detail of Hollywood insiders and trying to get ahead and have your dreams come true. no, it doesn’t play out in the board rooms. It plays out more on the party circuit and networking.
The film mostly works as a comedy and thriller at times. That by the end luckily everything comes together that might be left hanging in the first half of the film. though truthfully, it’s more comedy than horror as when it does decide to change its mood. It is quite sharp, not subtle. As the film tries to work as a satire until becoming a full on horror film towards the end.
If the film has any weakness, it might be and some of its characters, especially the lead who just comes across as way to clean cut for somebody who might not have been born in Hollywood, but has been in it long enough to know the culture and there’s nothing wrong with him not really being into drugs or alcohol as the film desperately wants us to show him challenging his morals and will he go down this dark path just to get his film made. Though they could’ve worked harder to make him more than every man and still be innocent.
It’s one of those films where you go with what is presented and you don’t really question too much as the film doesn’t really make you think either but you enjoy the ride you’re going on even if it’s familiar or you feel like you can predict what’s going to happen. It tries to offer a few surprises that aren’t really that big to a seasoned cinephile.
The works just enough to keep your interest so that you want to see the film through to the end even as it tries to be a little bit artistic and challenging towards the end it still comes off rather basic though one applaud the filmmaker for trying as the film still feels like a rough draft that needs a little bit more tightening.
Will Bennett give the films most entertaining and captivating performance throughout this film should definitely be a calling card for him
One doesn’t really want to pick on this film as obviously it’s low budget and a filmmaker work well with what they have and you can tell they are trying.
Cast: McKaley Miller, Keyara Milliner, Brice Anthony Heller, Morgana Van Peebles, Jayson Warner Smith, Will Deusner, Dermot Mulroney, Anne Heche, Hannah Celeste, Kelli Therinae
Eden, a bright student who is wait-listed at her dream college, attends a party hosted by a powerful Congressman’s son to get a letter of recommendation. However, she and her friend Zara discover that Schroder and his friends are involved in the disappearance of a missing girl. As tensions rise, Eden uses her wit and manipulation skills to navigate the dangerous social hierarchy of the wealthy elite and protect herself and those she cares about. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers shocking secrets and must fight to survive.
This film is a disappoint as the material is not bad. One only wishes they would’ve had more original ideas in which to not only present the film, but offer up style for the film..
As there are plenty of scenes in which the characters reactor act so dumb and not impulsively just either stupid or silly that it is beyond belief at times, so unfortunately it’s because of these things that keep the film going, where at certain points of the film it becomes so ridiculous that it’s funny while trying to keep this thriller tone
There is a final twist that you see coming, but there are plenty of places and ideas within the film where if they would’ve simply did a simple twist on the situation, the film could’ve been a little more entertaining and thought-provoking, but then it might’ve gone into being multidimensional in this film seems to wanna be one dimensional, cut and dry literally.
As for most of the film, there seems to be a lot of filler or stretching for time and a scene that should have been a lot more emotional and devastating here just seems to be played off to show a characters determination truly a taste of how evil they are, even though they’ve been presented that way throughout. Though at least it gives one of the characters who’s supposed to be a villain, somewhat of a soul or a chance to see the other side of them.
Though you know the main teen villian who seem cast here more for his look. Which telegraphs his evil side from the opening.
It even kills off one of the villains of color first. Who ends up seeming like one of the most innocent.
The main character is mostly to blame for the other character fates throughout. So at times it is hard to feel sorry for her. Especially as she brings it on herself and could have easily gotten out of this situation. Though it shows she has a soul through her actions. Even if her best friend who has hated most of these characters. Has an odd mid-movie feeling and about face of trying to give the bad guys the benefit of the doubt.
One can admit the film doesn’t truly get exciting until the major names in the cast actually appear which unfortunately isn’t until the last third of the film but they make their presence felt and make things or keep things a little more exciting especially the late Anne Heche’s performance, wishing she had been in more of the film as she makes a most scary and entertaining villain.
No ultimately the film is a thriller, but throughout it is a revenge tale no matter how it is dressed up even though the box art makes it look like it. Will Moore be something to the movie? READY OR NOT
Grade: D+
Directed By: Beth Hanna and Jerren Lauder
Written By: Walter Hare and Brad Martocello
Cinematography: Jeff Tomcho
Editor: Rome Widenhouse
Cast: McKaley Miller, Keyara Milliner, Brice Anthony Heller, Morgana Van Peebles, Jayson Warner Smith, Will Deusner, Dermot Mulroney, Anne Heche, Hannah Celeste, Kelli Therinae
Eden, a bright student who is wait-listed at her dream college, attends a party hosted by a powerful Congressman's son to get a letter of recommendation. However, she and her friend Zara discover that Schroder and his friends are involved in the disappearance of a missing girl. As tensions rise, Eden uses her wit and manipulation skills to navigate the dangerous social hierarchy of the wealthy elite and protect herself and those she cares about. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers shocking secrets and must fight to survive.
this film is a disappoint as the material is not bad. One only wishes they would’ve had more original ideas in which to not only present the film, but offer up style for the film..
As there are plenty of scenes in which the characters reactor act so dumb and not impulsively just either stupid or silly that it is beyond belief at times, so unfortunately it’s because of these things that keep the film going, where at certain points of the film it becomes so ridiculous that it’s funny while trying to keep this thriller tone
There is a final twist that you see coming, but there are plenty of places and ideas within the film where if they would’ve simply did a simple twist on the situation, the film could’ve been a little more entertaining and thought-provoking, but then it might’ve gone into being multidimensional in this film seems to wanna be one dimensional, cut and dry literally.
As for most of the film, there seems to be a lot of filler or stretching for time and a scene that should have been a lot more emotional and devastating here just seems to be played off to show a characters determination truly a taste of how evil they are, even though they’ve been presented that way throughout. Though at least it gives one of the characters who’s supposed to be a villain, somewhat of a soul or a chance to see the other side of them.
Though you know the main teen villian who seem cast here more for his look. Which telegraphs his evil side from the opening.
It even kills off one of the villains of color first. Who ends up seeming like one of the most innocent.
The main character is mostly to blame for the other character fates throughout. So at times it is hard to feel sorry for her. Especially as she brings it on herself and could have easily gotten out of this situation. Though it shows she has a soul through her actions. Even if her best friend who has hated most of these characters. Has an odd mid-movie feeling and about face of trying to give the bad guys the benefit of the doubt.
One can admit the film doesn’t truly get exciting until the major names in the cast actually appear which unfortunately isn’t until the last third of the film but they make their presence felt and make things or keep things a little more exciting especially the late Anne Heche’s performance, wishing she had been in more of the film as she makes a most scary and entertaining villain.
No ultimately the film is a thriller, but throughout it is a revenge tale no matter how it is dressed up even though the box art makes it look like it. Will Moore be something to the movie? READY OR NOT
Written & Directed By: Daniel Woltosz & Walt Woltosz
Cinematography: Jan-Michael Losada
Editor: Colleen Halsey
Cast: Amanda Arcuri, Jackson Rathbone, Kerri Medders, Elise Luthman, Ashlee Fuss, Ivon Millan, Courtney Henggeler, Nikki Leigh, Savannah Kennick
Chelsea, a high school introvert, is abducted through a social media app and is forced to look like other girls Brad holds captive. Chelsea desperately attempts to persuade them to escape before they all become victims in his virtual reality filmed murders.
At first one would think this film looking at the poster would be one of those paranormal or slasher films that comes out in theaters for a week before it is properly put on streaming. Unfortunately, this film doesn’t even belong on streaming. This feels more like a bad cable original
The film is a little confusing as to does. It wanna be in after school, special warning about the dangers of online predators in the dangers of online relationships without doing the proper background checks and research or doesn’t want to be a horror film about a deranged protagonist, and a final girl.
The film tries to mix, but by the end, it just feels like a rated lifetime movie that is a bit sensationalistic, and while it tries to be exploited, it never goes fall into any of what it hint at either sexual or violence wise, except for one gruesome death
Going into the film, you can pretty much guess what’s gonna happen in the type of film that it is going to be and while the lead is certainly twisted and most of the film plays more like a horror. The last five minutes then seems to want to be a kind of public service announcement.
The film does get into brainwashing Stockholm syndrome, and while it tries to be dirty and gruesome, it never quite thrills or make you really worry about the protagonists.
So that by the end feels like a nice try, but doesn’t truly satisfy anyone because you wonder who is supposedly the audience for this film and it just feels like a paint by numbers setup. From a father-son writing and directing duo.
One would guess this is supposed to be for teenagers, but none of it really comes across as believable, especially in dialogue when it comes to the teenage characters.
Though it is nice to see Amanda Arcuri from DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION have a lead role. One can only wish it was in a better film. Where half the time the audience is confused as to which kidnapped character is which. Since they are made to dress alike and respond to the same name.
