WildCinema Presents Movie Review: Among Friends (2012)

WildCinema Presents

Movie Review: Among Friends (2012)

The Lowdown:

After debuting on the festival circuit last year, scream queen Danielle Harris's directorial debut finally gets a general release on DVD and VOD and its a hell of a lot more fun than it has any right to be.

Among Friends tells the story of a group of friends who get together for an 80s themed murder mystery party that quickly turns sour when they are each tortured and forced to pay for the secrets they keep. The concept is hardly original but its executed with playfulness and a solid degree of tension in which the audience never quite knows whats going to happen next, making it a thrillingly exciting watch the first time around.

Sadly though the cinematography does leave a lot to be desired, it just screams straight to video from the get go, not that that's a bad thing by any means, the concept and execution are all great and the movies a hell of a roller coaster ride, so its a shame the overall look of the film dosent look more cinematic and grand as i feel this could have at least made a great cult classic in the years to come, but the vast majority of people will sadly dismiss this as B movie trash now which is a shame, but dont let the overall look fool you, this is a smart and fun little throwback to 80s horror.

Also worthy mentioning is one scene in particular that fans of Danielle Harris will get a kick out of in which a Dinner guest tripping on mushrooms thinks she's on a movie set and spots Ms Harris in the clown costume she donned in Halloween 4. Its a nice little tip of the hat from Danielle to her long time fans

Final Verdict

Although not breaking any new ground or offering anything unique into the DTV horror genre. Among Friends offers just enough thrills and gore to be worthy of a rental.

Rating

A solid 2 out of 5.

 

Fatal Call - Movie Review - Wild Cinema

WildCinema Presents

Movie Review : Fatal Call

 

 

The Lowdown

Its been a busy year for Screen favorite Danielle Harris, with a handful of movies still set for release sometime in the near future, Fatal Call A.K.A Call Me On Tuesday, marks a departure from her usual "scream queen" fare, one that is sure to both surprise and delight many a fan, as Danielle lights up the screen as the seductive but conniving  Amy Hannison.

Jason London stars as Mitch, a smalltown guy who's affair with a beautiful woman has disastrous consequences as he fights for his life and to clear his name. The plot reads simple enough on paper, but there are terrific twist and turns as the film progresses that are played out and executed effectively, taking this from Z grade Thriller, to a pretty fun and engaging B movie.

I was both surprised and delighted by the casting decisions, not only do we get great perfomances from Danielle Harris and Veteran Jason London, but Kevin Sorbo of "Hercules" fame is along for the ride, as well as Scary Movies, Lochlyn Munro, this isnt your typical B movie no name cast and the film is all the better for it.

The writing and directing for the most part is really well done and director/writer Jack Snyder does a great job of capturing the tone of early 90s erotic thrillers, as the movie at times feels like a throwback to the days of Shannon Tweed thrillers albeit with a lot less sex and more emphasis on the storyline. 

The only minor complaint i have is towards the middle of the movie it starts to drag on a little, but that is quickly rectified with a fantastically tense sequence featuring Jason London's character Mitch sneaking into Amy's house to acquire some evidence to clear his name. Its a well written and directed sequence that perfectly and effectively notches up the tension and will have viewers hanging on the edge of their seats. 

Final Verdict

 For fans of Femme Fatale films and Steamy late night cable thrillers, Fatal Call is neither anything fresh nor groundbreaking. But that said, it does provide a handful of tense thrills, a standout being the nightclub chase and car park showdown, an engaging storyline with plenty of twists and turns to keep even the most jaded movie goer satisfied, and great performances from Kevin Sorbo, Jason London and the ever beautiful Danielle Harris, who shows terrific range and sexuality, we dont usually get to see from her. Fatal Call is the perfect movie for a Friday night when all you want to do is put your feet up and relax.

Rating

An unusual acting turn for Danielle Harris, solid directing and writing earn this a 3 out of 5.

Its worth checking out and despite its DTV movie production values, is an engaging treat from start to finish.

Also check out some of our other articles:

VHS NOSTALGIA #1

Movie Review:  Hansel And Gretel

Movie Review Hatchet III

Movie Review: Hatchet III (2013)

WildCinema Presents

Movie Review: Hatchet III (2013)

                              

                             
                                 Director: BJ McDonnell

                                 Starring:  Danielle Harris,  Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan

                                 Hatchet III IMDB Page :  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1870419/

      The Lowdown :

What some might consider Straight to DVD schlock-fest we at wild cinema consider highly anticipated sequel. 2010's slasher throwback Hatchet II left us all wanting more. Was Victor Crowley dead? Would Danielle Harris ever show us what we all really want to see...her sweet little naked body? Thankfully Hatchet III answers those questions and more.Literally following on from the last frame of its predecessor Hatchet III wastes no time in spilling the red stuff, in the first 5 minutes horror veteran Danielle Harris is covered head to toe in the blood of Victor Crowley who is dispatched via chainsaw to the groin which then rips him in half - ouch! Our heroine then walks into a police station to confess to killing Crowley and in the process is thrown in jail, stripped naked, and showered down Rambo style. 

The plot is pretty much the same as the previous two movies, a group heads into the swamp only to be dispatched one by one in inventive and often downright comical ways by Hulking maniac Crowley. Can they stop him for good this time? The movie flies by at a breakneck pace and theres rarely a dull moment, featuring lots of inventive gore and humor, long time fans should pretty much know what they're in for.

 Surprisingly however this time around for better or worse there is a distinct lack of nudity. Whats a slasher throwback without a few perfectly perk bussoms? Sigh. Perhaps to make up for the lack of boob there are quite a few familiar faces in this one, Zach Galligan of Gremlins fame plays the sheriff, Caroline Williams of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 fame plays his estranged wife, we even have Roach from Wes Craven's People Under The Stairs in this, its like a horror fans wet dream - well not quite, but almost.

Hatchet III for the most part is a step up from Part 2 and should satisfy fans blood lust until the inevitable Hatchet IV. You heard it here first kids, Hatchet IV: Marybeth Strikes Back.

Final Verdict:

Slightly darker in tone than its predecessors Hatchet III delivers scares, gore, familiar faces, and a pretty nice side view of Danielle Harris's tooshie. Horror fans should be pretty pleased with this one.

Rating:

Pretty much how horror sequels should be done. 3 stars out of 5 for this.

Hatchet III will be available from all online retailers soon. In the meantime why not catch up with its predecessors in these great deals from amazon.

 Hatchet: Hatchet [DVD]

And Hatchet II: Hatchet 2 [DVD] 

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Tags: hatchet 3, review, danielle, harris , horror, movie, blog, wild cinema, kane hodder, slasher, 2013