DVD Review: RE-GENERATION (2004)

-------------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------------------

 

 

RE-GENERATION

Directed by: Anais Granofsky

Distributed by Indican Pictures

RE-GENERATION is one of those films that's hard to categorize. Sure, it has a science-fiction premise, but it's also a drama and a thriller. Amazingly, though, the film pulls off all three genres pretty well.

If you're not familiar with RE-GENERATION, here is the plot, courtesy of the DVD cover:

In the not too distant future where earth is decimated by eco-catastrophe, the human population is declining and most of the world's resources are controlled by a select few. A new underground market emerges -- limb sales and regeneration. Disgraced Dr. Gabriel Goode is beckoned to the remote wilderness to regenerate a rich politician's daughter illegally, but soon he finds out dark family secrets and forbidden love with the politician's mutant daughter that leads to an X-file finale.

RE-GENERATION is an interesting foray into surrealism. It's almost hard to describe. The setting and props give it a vintage feel but the story and back story definitely lend to the futuristic vibe. The conflicting result almost confuses your brain as you watch the film. My mind kept trying to process the film as set in the past, but I kept having to remind myself that it's set in the future.

I enjoyed RE-GENERATION for the most part, but I feel that it could have been better. The primary negative for me is that the story is not that engaging. It's not that the plot isn't interesting...on the contrary, the synopsis makes it sound pretty good. But the execution comes across as a bit bland, almost drab in certain scenes. There are also several things in the film that are never explained, such as the doctor's 'visions' that he experiences when taking a specific drug. This isn't enough to take you out of the film, but it definitely left me with a frown as the credits rolled.

The acting however is quite good, although actress Ingrid Veninger looks very creepy as an albino, dread-locked young woman. She manages to bring to her character a certain sense of mystery, albeit a scary a one. And Peter Stebbings does a great job as well, along with the supporting cast.

I was expecting more in the special effects department for RE-GENERATION, however I was quite let down. There are not many scenes that contain them and they don't seem overly impressive when they're on-screen. You would think a film about a limb salesman would have lots of appendages flailing about. Still, I suppose I can see the production team focusing more on the story than the visual, which is fine for this type of film.

To summarize, I'm a little torn on this one. Although I enjoyed it overall, I don't see myself revisiting it. I am pretty sure this is one of those films you have to see for yourself to decide whether or not you'll like it. So, I guess my bottom line for RE-GENERATION is check it out, but be prepared for possible disappointment

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

DVD Review: BONNIE AND CLYDE VS. DRACULA (2008)

BONNIE AND CLYDE VS DRACULA

Directed by: Timothy Friend

Distributed by: Indican Pictures

I just watched the film BONNIE AND CLYDE VS DRACULA. I loved this movie from the moment I heard that title. It sounds so ridiculous that it just had to be great...right? And that DVD cover looks super cool too. I was super excited to finally watch this. So did it live up to my expectations? Before I answer that, here is the basic plot from the film's official website for those that aren't familiar with the film:

Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula combines the rough and tumble world of 1930's era gangster movies with the violent gothic atmosphere of a classic horror film. When a robbery goes bad and one of their companions is shot, Bonnie and Clyde are forced to seek help at a nearby mansion, home to the twisted Dr. Loveless and his imprisioned sister, Annabel. But Loveless has a secret. Deep in his cellar, the recently revived Dracula awaits...

So...did the film live up to my expectations? Well....unfortunately no. But maybe I had hyped it up too much in my head...who knows. While the film didn't live up to what I expected, that is not to say it wasn't a good film. It did have some very good things going for it...most notably the great acting. Tiffany Shepis as Bonnie and Trent Haaga as Clyde were a great on screen due and seemed to have some great chemistry. These two made the film in my opinion.

The film also contained some disturbing images...most notably the person or "thing" in the opening scene. The film contained some genuine scares at some points as well.

While the movie did have it's good points, it had its flaws as well. My major problem with this film are all the subplots and characters that are introduced. The whole plot with Dr. Loveless and his sister, Annabel, just seemed out of place to me. They could have been in a separate film all together. I mean, aren't we really here to see three main people...Bonnie, Clyde, and Dracula!

Another issue I had was that the film was very slow at times....the only thing that made up for this was the very ending when Bonnie and Clyde go on a Vampire shooting spree. That was a lot of fun to watch!

For a crime film, this was actually very good, with some good dialog and some really great shoot out scenes, but for us Horror and gore fans, the film just lacked a little bit in that department.

BONNIE AND CLYDE VS DRACULA is scheduled for release on DVD May 3rd. Check it out for yourself and see what you think!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD (Pre-order)

CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website

DVD Review: FABLED (2002)

H
---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------


FABLED
Directed by Ari Kirschenbaum
Distributed by Indican Pictures

When I first read the DVD cover of FABLED, I was a little confused. The plot synopsis didn’t sound quite like horror…but it sure didn’t sound like your average human drama, either. It did sound interesting, though. So with no trepidation whatsoever, I sat down last night and watched it.

If you’ve never heard of this film, here is the plot courtesy of imdb.com:

Joseph just broke up with his girlfriend and is not taking it very well. He thinks she is plotting against him with their mutual psychiatrist. His dog is missing and he suspects the people at work might be behind it. Then there is the unshakable guilt over his past. It just might all be bearable, somehow possible to live through, if it weren't for those damned 'monsters' that keep trying to kill him.

First off, let me start by saying this movie is visually appealing on many levels. It is shot very well, with many unique camera angles. The aesthetic design of each set is eye-catching as well, with many of the set-pieces placed just so, at strategic points to draw your eye away from the action every now and then.

But while it is pleasing to follow with the eye, following the plot is a little more difficult. The story that unfolds on the screen is accentuated with a fable-like narrative that is told verbally by a young girl. We see Joseph fighting his withdrawal into madness, while we hear the story of Lupold, a wolf who is betrayed by a crow.

The point behind the narrated fable is to accent Joseph’s plight but in some cases it’s hard to tell what’s going on between the two stories. As crazy as it sounds though, the combination actually works well and helps to keep you guessing until the end. But even then, you are still given no concrete resolution. Instead, you must make your own conclusions as to what was happening in the story.

I enjoy movies with this type of bizarreness when they are done well, and FABLED is actually one of the better films I’ve seen in the genre. This movie pulls no punches and turns a young man’s descent into madness into a dark fairy tale of sorts. Writer/director Kirschenbaum skillfully blends the chaos of human insanity with a plausible fable that eventually ignites into a wildfire of violence.

Actor Desmond Askew does an amazing job with the main character of Joseph. I’ve never seen Askew in a film before, but I hope to see him in future projects. His emotional range is impressive and the depth to which he portrays his characters is intensely believable. Askew’s supporting cast is top-notch as well, with J. Richey Nash playing Joseph’s best friend, Alex, and Michael Panes portraying the lucid Dr. Frumkes.

For as much as I enjoyed this movie, though, I will stress that it won’t be for everyone. FABLED is a twisted trip down a warped rabbit hole. Some of us can relate to Joseph’s downward spiral as he fights off the anguish of losing his girlfriend and his dog, and tries to decide if the world really is out to get him or not. Thus, do not go into this movie hoping for a happy ending. You won’t get it, regardless of how you interpret the final scenes. But what you will get is one hell of a ride.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Indican Pictures