DVD Review: SPIRIT CAMP (2009)

I have really been seeing a lot of really great low budget horror films over the past few months, and this one ranks up at the top for sure! SPIRIT CAMP is being released by Kerosene Films and was both written and directed by Kerry Beyer. In fact, he was also the Executive Producer and Cinematographer! And he was the Film Editor. Oh, did I mention he starred in the film as well? Ha! This guy is amazing. The credits looked almost like a joke as he was listed in almost every category of the film crew! More on him later.

Here is the plot synopsis from imdb.com:

When a street smart "goth girl" (Roxy Vandiver) is forced to attend cheerleader camp as part of her rehabilitation from a juvenile correction facility, she clashes with the "popular girls," and finds herself embroiled in a bitter rivalry with the bitchy ringleader Rachel (Julin). But when members of the spirit squad start turning up dead, the girls must put aside their differences and struggle to survive the murderous rage of a crazed psycho-killer lurking among them!

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This movie is listed as a Horror/Comedy and it is a perfect blend of both. The comedic parts are actually really funny and the horror side of the film is a perfect slasher flick. The ads for the film describe it as "FRIDAY THE 13th meets BRING IT ON" which is a pretty good comparison. Although there were actually more similarities and nods to the film HALLOWEEN than there was to FRIDAY THE 13th (the action takes place at Loomis Lake and the camp director is named Mrs. Haddenfield). You will also see some more subtle nods to HALLOWEEN if you watch close enough...I won't ruin them all for you here.

The acting is the movie is superb. There is not one bad performance in the group. A few performances that really stuck out as really great were the part of Sheriff Todd played by veteran actor Brandon Smith, the part of Rachel played by Julin, and the character of Missy played by Megan Moser. These were great performances, but really all the actors did a great job.

The gore scenes is the film are great too. One thing this Horror/Comedy didn't do was skimp on the blood. There are plenty of great kills to satisfy even the most die hard slasher fans. This film is definitely one to watch again and is going on my list of favorite slasher flicks!

Ok....back to writer/director/Cinematographer/Editor and actor Kerry Beyer. Be sure to watch the behind the scenes documentary on the special features. Beyer talks about making this movie with such passion, you can tell he really loves the genre and film making in general, and it shows in his final product. Also, during this behind the scenes look, we get a very personal glimpse of a tragedy that struck his family, as during shooting his mother had to undergo brain surgery to remove a brain tumor. Mrs. Beyer did all the catering for the film and was very involved and supportive of her son and this project. There is a very touching interview with Beyer's mother and even footage of her right after having been through the surgery. This was a very interesting behind the scene featurette with a lot more substance than most of the making of documentaries we are used to on other Horror DVD's. I hope Beyer sticks with the Horror genre and I look forward to seeing future projects from this amazing filmmaker.

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CLICK HERE to visit the official website of SPIRIT CAMP and watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase a DVD of the film

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Kerosene Films