Midnight Movies Are a Thing of the Past for a Reason

An insane and murderous patient on the loose from the local psychiatric ward goes to the screening of one of his films five years after slaughtering dozens of people in his home town. The black and white feature film becomes reality as the killer steps out of the movie and into the theatre to disembowel several of the audience members. Unable to use any common sense or escape the theatre movie goers die one by one at the hands of this supernatural killer (Internet).

Rating: for bloody horror violence/gore, language, some sexual content and brief nudity.

Release Date: October 17, 2008.

Starring: Rebekah Brandes, Daniel Bonjour, Mandell Maughan, Greg Cirulnick, Stan Ellsworth, Jon Briddell, Brea Grant, Michael Schwartz, Carole Sizemore, and Michael Swan.

Director: Jack Messitt.

Writers: Mark Garbett, and Jack Messitt.

"Midnight Movie," is a low budget B-movie made for under a million three and due to the low budget of the film the acting is average, and although somewhat well-written with an interesting premise the "Midnight Movie," feels overly cheesy. There are no big name actors in the film and the inexperience of the actors distracts from the flow of the picture. A lot of the acting looks over done or awkward and the uncomfortable feeling from "Midnight Movie," comes from watching the delivery of lines rather than from any horrifying scares. While anticipating the release of this film and now finally seeing "Midnight Movie," the main feeling that is felt throughout this film is disappointment.

To be generous this is Jack Messitt's first feature length film from the directing chair; however, going from lighting/equipment manager to the director's chair equates to an amateurish first outing. Yes, if a director throws in a killer, some young kids, and some gruesome deaths this technically equals a horror film, but not at any point did this viewer feel afraid or even empathize with any of the characters in the film because of the lack of character writing. One plus two unfortunately sums up to four in this bleak feature film.

What could have made "Midnight Movie," more enthralling would have been the addition of a stronger back story of the killer, a focus on fewer characters and some character interaction before people start dying. No back story or build-up means that most viewers will not care what happens to the characters in the movie or in the movie itself.

Low budget, indie film "Midnight Movie," could have been more scary and entertaining, but instead the film comes across as a sad attempt to rush a poor horror film onto the screen. If as a viewer you go into this film with very low expectations you might find this film entertaining. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quality, unique, horror experience, then likely you will only feel disappointment or foolish for watching this film from beginning to end.

One of the better stills from the film:



Sources:

Mum & Dad at IMDB

Stumble It!

Posted in: 2008,daniel bonjour,horror,independent,indie,jack messitt,low budget,midnight movie,movie trailer,october 2008,rebekah brandes,review,slasher,synopsis,thriller