B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Monday, April 24, 2023

THOMAS HADEN CHURCH IS THE "ACIDMAN" (2022) AS WE FEATURE THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BORN ACTOR ONCE AGAIN

 

I'm starting to really dig this guy's work. We recently reviewed Whitewash (thumbs way up) and Cardboard Boxer. Now along comes Acidman where Haden Church plays a reclusive father living in the middle of nowhere whose daughter (Dianna Agron) tracks him down after ten years. She finds he has an obsession with chasing UFO's and he also believes that they're trying to communicate with him. 

I'd like to report this indie is as good as the other two films but, unfortunately, it's more of a miss than a hit. No particular directing style is evident and the story really needs to be redeveloped with more bells and whistles in the plotline. It's shot nicely and I think the basic idea appeals to most people but ultimately doesn't deliver. The ending, while handled nicely, is certainly more than expected. 

Having said that, Thomas Haden Church puts in another really good performance with a film that has one foot in a character study, perfect for him to carry the film. Too bad what he's carrying is a sack of rotten potatoes. Acidman streams on VOD, 6.99 to rent.   1.75 stars/5  

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