Body

Didn't expect much and it turned out to be an entertaining movie that takes 3 normal people and changes them into murderers.

For a movie that starts out with having refreshingly realistic portrayals of young women (for a movie of this genre) it's almost painful to bear witness to the very conclusion of the film as it goes against those very portrayals.

Put under pressure humans can be driven to go against their nature of course but the very end there simply was no need for it, just add a last minute twist for the sake of adding a last minute twist is just poor writing.

But the road there is still enjoyable so I'll still give it a 6, even though the ending truly was pushing it.

No complaints regarding the acting or script etc otherwise though.

Obviously low budget. Not a unique story. But it had the heart to be entertaining in spite of itself. They were fun characters to watch work through their horrific scenario. Works with what it's got and is as good as it could be.

Greetings again from the darkness. Positioned as a "thriller", this Oak Cliff Film Festival entry is more psychological study than fright-fest or whodunit. Co-written and co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, the film takes the rare and welcome approach of placing twenty-something females in the role of accidental trouble-makers who must make morally-clouded decisions under stress.

Home for the holidays, three long-time friends are hanging out together on Christmas Eve – just drinking wine, playing Scrabble, smoking pot, and teasing each other. After a "dark" opening featuring a frantic 911 call, the film is allowed to breathe for the next 15- 20 minutes as we get to know the personalities of Holly (Helen Rogers), Cali (Alexandra Turshen), and Mel (Lauren Molina). Their banter … and the fallout from triple word "satin" … provide us with the insight to connect with each of the ladies.

Seeking a chance to cut loose and enjoy their "girl time", they head over to a mansion supposedly belonging to an uncle of one of the girls. Booze, video games, laughing and dancing seem innocent enough until Arthur the groundskeeper (Larry Fessenden) enters the house and confronts the girls. While it sounds like the set-up to this week's horror film, it has more in common with Very Bad Things (1998). A tragic accident forces the girls into discussions and decision-making that's not usually associated with Christmas Eve.

What keeps our interest isn't so much the situation, it's the fact that we are rarely exposed to on screen women in such a mess. The varying female personalities negotiate the next best steps and the alpha in the group may or may not be the smartest (remember Scrabble!). With their own morals pushing and pulling their thoughts, it's fascinating that a trumped up attempted-rape accusation (and groan inducing evidence tampering) may be their best defense.

After a couple of twists, it's interesting to see how far one's moral compass can be adjusted for the sake of self-preservation, and to see how the bond's of friendship can be either a life preserver or cement boots. Don't look to this for your Friday night fright … though there is one jump-inducing moment … but rather view it as a chance to ask yourself how you would react in such an accidentally tragic turn of events.

I get it, that some character decisions can break a movie for people. I've had the same thing happen to me, even with movies that are considered classics (and this will not be in that category). But if you are willing to jump that flaw/hurdle and see past it, you will have "fun" with this.

It's actually a tight little movie with twists upon twists and a level of "how far would you go" and "what would you do" sort of scenario. Of course if you say you're rational, than you might have avoided a couple of things, but it's not always depending on one person what the outcome is going to be like. So sit tight and enjoy this thrill ride - if you can