My Bloody Valentine (2009)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Patrick Lussier

Writers (WGA):

Todd Farmer (screenplay) and
Zane Smith (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

On January 16, Get Your Heart Broken.

Plot:

Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one will believes he's innocent.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Valentine | Massacre | Extreme Violence | Severed Finger

Cast

Jensen Ackles	...	Tom Hanniger
Jaime King	...	Sarah Palmer
Kerr Smith	...	Axel Palmer
Betsy Rue	...	Irene
Edi Gathegi	...	Deputy Martin
Tom Atkins	...	Burke
Kevin Tighe	...	Ben Foley
Megan Boone	...	Megan
Karen Baum	...	Deputy Ferris
Joy de la Paz	...	Rosa
Marc Macaulay	...	Riggs
Todd Farmer	...	Frank the Trucker
Jeff Hochendoner	...	Red
Bingo O'Malley	...	Officer Hinch
Liam Rhodes	...	Michael

Also Known As:

My Bloody Valentine 3-D (UK) (promotional title) (USA) (promotional title)
My Bloody Valentine 3D (UK) (poster title) (USA) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic brutal horror violence and grisly images throughout, some strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44787) | Ireland:16 | UK:18 | Japan:R-15 | Hong Kong:III | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | New Zealand:R18 | South Korea:18 | Australia:R | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | South Africa:18LNPS | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 (edited for re-rating) | Singapore:R21 | Finland:K-18 | Italy:VM14 | Belgium:KNT | Sweden:15 | Norway:18

Filming Locations:

Bethel, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Lionsgate

Trivia:

The first two characters killed on screen are named Jason and Michael. A homage to characters from "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween" series where the killers are non speaking. Also a direct reference to the movies is how they die - trademark features of the characters.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where Ben Foley ('Kevin Tighe') is outside his home directly before his murder, there is a clearly visible reflection of crew member in his front door.

Quotes:

Officer Hinch: [looking at a candy box with a human heart inside] I think I waited too long to retire.
Burke: You and me both, Hinch. Who did this?
Officer Hinch: Harry Warden.
Burke: Harry Warden's in a coma.
Burke: Guess he woke up.

Movie Connections:

References Friday the 13th Part III (1982)

Soundtrack:

Back To Where I'm From

Great fun!

I missed out on the 80's 3D craze- films in the Jaws, Amityville and Friday the 13th franchises all getting 3d instalments on the big screen. Well it seems 2009 will make up for that, with My Bloody Valentine, Final Destination 4 and Pirahna all adding an extra dimension to their proceedings.

My Bloody Valentine is a great start. It's fun, gory, doesn't spend too much time on the dialogue, because it understands we're wearing these ridiculous glasses for a reason! I really enjoyed it actually- and for someone who has watched so many slashers, the 3d did add some wonderful novel touches, so it felt like more than just a retread. I know it's cool to bash remakes these days (and admittedly so many are very weak) but I much prefer this to the original- which seemed to plod along at quite a pedestrian pace, and besides the mining town setting, really didn't offer anything especially new. This film is far tighter and doesn't take itself so seriously- it has its tongue-firmly-in-cheek.

The only downsides are perhaps the stalk and kill sequence involving a naked lady. I guess some horror fans like their nudity, but in a genre so often viewed as misogynistic, it didn't do itself any favours. Admittedly the character is actually quite strong and fun- you don't feel her nudity weakens or humiliates her, but... I dunno, perhaps pandering a little too much for the teenage boys? Go catch this at the cinema, take a few friends, and enjoy an hour and a half of silly fun.